Share of households experiencing water shortages has doubled over the past decade. Key findings Water supply ranks third among the most important problems that South Africans want their government to address. Only unemployment and crime/security are deemed more important. o A decade ago, water supply was ninth on the list of citizen concerns. o Rural…
Hyundai and Kia have unveiled a novel in-vehicle sanitation technology called Plasma Care UVC. Unlike traditional ultraviolet purification setups, this advanced system actively reduces airborne and surface pathogens inside the vehicle cabin while passengers are inside. Beyond sterilization, the system acts as a high-efficiency deodorizer by directly eliminating the biological organisms responsible for foul interior…
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia — When Africa’s Heads of State and Government gathered in Addis Ababa on 14 February 2026 for the African Union’s 39th Ordinary Session, they did more than adopt another resolution. They made a choice: to place at the centre of the agenda the most fundamental, life-sustaining and strategic resource our continent possesses:…
African Union (AU) leaders convened in Addis Ababa for the 39th AU Summit under the theme: “Assuring Sustainable Water Availability and Achieving Safe Sanitation Systems to Realize the Goals of Agenda 2063.” The summit marked a historic milestone as water and sanitation were prioritized for the first time as the central theme of the Union’s…
Namibian President Dr Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has called on African leaders to re-energise efforts to improve access to clean water and safe sanitation, saying that delayed investment has left millions vulnerable to climate shocks, poor health, and economic stagnation. Addressing the African Union Africa Water Investment Programme (AIP) Summit on Sunday, President Nandi-Ndaitwah said the gathering…
World Toilet Day reminds us that safe sanitation is fundamental to human health and dignity. In every community, a toilet protects people from disease, safeguards our environment, and underpins social and economic development. Yet today, 3.4 billion people still live without a safe toilet. Each year, 1.4 million people die due to inadequate access to…
The Ministry of Water and Sanitation has reaffirmed its commitment to accelerating equitable and sustainable access to water and sanitation services across South Africa. The commitment was made at the Association of Water and Sanitation Institutions of South Africa (AWSISA) Africa and Global South Water and Sanitation Dialogue, which is currently underway at Emperors Palace,…
As Africa faces the escalating challenges of droughts, floods, and water insecurity, ministers and leaders from across the continent are coming together in preparation for the 2025 Sector Ministers’ Meeting (SMM), scheduled for October 22-23 in Madrid, Spain. This crucial summit is co-convened by the Government of Spain, UNICEF, and the Sanitation and Water for…
Each September, world leaders gather at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) to set the tone for global priorities. This year’s 80th UNGA saw Heads of State and Government highlight conflicts, climate, and economic instability. Encouragingly, a growing number also spoke about water and sanitation — though still far fewer than the urgency demands. From…
A new report launched by the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF during World Water Week 2025 has revealed that billions of people around the world remain without access to safe water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) services, exposing vulnerable communities to disease, poverty, and deepening inequalities. The report on Progress on Household Drinking Water and…
